Frequently Asked Questions
Our toxicology experts have resolved questions and concerns for thousands of customers. The information found on this webpage can help answer many common questions, and assist you in managing a substance abuse testing program. The questions listed here are constantly updated, expanded, and refined to ensure that you have access to the very latest information. Begin by browsing the list of questions below. Click the question to reveal the answer.
What are the urine confirmation cutoffs and methodologies?
Confirmations are available by gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Based on your agency’s account settings, specimens may be confirmed by one or more of the aforementioned methods. GC/MS and LC/MS/MS provides identification of the molecule(s) based on characteristic fragmentation patterns at specific retention times.
What is the importance of checking the urine temperature strip on the collection cup?
Under normal situations fresh urine will display a temperature between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit on the temperature strip, if read within 4 minutes of the collection. Should the temperature strip not register, the specimen should be immediately re-checked using a new cup (or strip) and the results recorded on the requisition. Specimens with a temperature out of range may indicate a substituted or adulterated sample.